Building the right team isn’t a new subject – it’s been written about for as long as business management books have been around. Here are some thoughts from top business leaders:
A true team – one whose members work together to achieve greatness – has a unified vision.
John Maxwell, Unity Begins with the LeaderIt’s important for team members to know why the team exists and does what it does.
Simon Sinek, Start with WhyGet the right people on the bus and the right people in the right seats on the bus.
Jim Collins, First Who… Then WhatA lack of trust prevents a team from true commitment, accountability and results.
Patrick Lencioni, Strong Teams Start with Trust
Building the right team is essential for an organization’s success. In a Harvard Business Review Press series, the authors gave their thoughts on what it takes to make great teams:
Create a compelling mission for your team
Get the right people on your team
Give your team the right strategy (structure and support) it needs to succeed
Coach your team for personal and professional growth
This is the same plan Jesus used to build his team.
First, Jesus had a compelling mission for his team. In Luke 19:10 Jesus said, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and save the lost”. That was the mission – to seek and save the lost.
Second, Jesus made sure he recruited the right team to carry out the mission. In Mark 1:17-18, Jesus said, “Follow me and I will make you fish for people. Immediately they left their nets and followed him”. Jesus recruited fishermen to fish for people.
Third, Jesus gave the team the right strategy to be successful. In John 17:18, Jesus said, “As you sent me into the world, I also have sent them into the world”. And in Luke 9:1-2 we read, “Summoning the Twelve, he gave them power and authority over all the demons to heal diseases. Then he sent them to proclaim the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick”. His strategy to proclaim the Kingdom and reach the lost was to be carried out by his team of disciples.
Finally, Jesus coached his team. The greatest skill a coach can have is to ask great questions. Author Ravi Zacharias notes that “nine times out of ten, when Jesus is asked a question, He responds with a question”. And author John Dear observes that “in the Gospels, there are over 300 questions recorded by Jesus”. Two of the most pointed and powerful questions that I believe Jesus asked his disciples are found in Matthew 16:13-16. “When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But you,’ he asked them, ‘who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. Jesus was a great coach because he asked great questions!
“What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.”
Building a team by having the right mission, recruiting, strategy and coaching is nothing new. Jesus gave us the plan to build the right team 2,000+ years ago.
If you want to learn more about how to build the right team or are interested in ongoing business and leadership skill-development, consider joining a Convene Peer Advisory Group.
You can also learn more about work-life balance in this Convene White Paper, “Developing People with a Kingdom Purpose”.
About the Author
Before becoming a Convene Chair, Bruce gained 25+ years of experience in Human Capital Management, Organizational Development, Leadership Development and Strategy and has an outstanding track record of maximizing revenue, profitability and performance. His expertise includes helping companies improve their organizational health and optimize their financial and operational performance by aligning their business and people strategies.
To learn more and connect with Bruce, view his profile or connect with him here.